Can antidepressants cause glucose intolerance?

Answered by: Dr Chandra M Gulhati | Editor, MIMS, New Delhi

Q:My husband recently found out that he has type 2 diabetes. We believe it was due to taking a psychotropic drug called zyprexa. Is there any psychotropic drug that he can take which does not cause diabetes or affect the blood sugar levels?

A:It is true that many antidepressants lead to glucose intolerance and even diabetes. Zyprexa is the brand name; the name of the medicine is olanzapine. Compared to olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone (in this order) cause much less problem in glucose metabolism.